Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced review copy of “Once More With Feeling” by Elissa Sussman. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

The beginning of this made me very confused as I thought it was YA when I was expecting an Adult Romance. It was a flash back but I don’t know why the story started there.

I’ve read this author’s previous book and I do think she has a talent for writing. My main issue is I feel like her books should be women’s fiction and not romance. I know both the books I’ve read are romance, but I think the romance actually hurts the books and I would have liked them more if they hadn’t had to stick to the romance structure. And I say this as someone who loves romance books! I just don’t think I like how this author writes romances. They come across as very problematic and toxic and there isn’t enough work done to make me feel like the couple should end up together.

In this book, the couple was incredibly off putting. I did not want to root for them. Marketing this as a “Britney/Justin” romance is not a great angle and it wasn’t accurate for the main couple. The ex was the Justin in this scenario but the actual love interest was also awful in his own way.

Again, I love romance but this one was not for me. I would have liked it more if the heroine had been making her comeback without having to end up with the male main character. The whole book I was rooting against them even though I knew they were going to end up together. I just would have liked the story way more if it had focused on the heroine’s comeback.

3/5 stars

I was excited for this one after reading and loving Elissa Sussman's last book, Funny You Should Ask.

Once More with Feeling is a charming second chance romance that got my interest very quickly. However, I didn't feel quite as attached to the characters in this story as I did with Funny You Should Ask.

This book has multiple timelines, second chance romance and friends to lovers

I was a big fan of "Once More With Feelings," with its captivating cast of characters, the world of Broadway, and, of course, the second-chance romance. Elissa Sussman's storytelling shines in this novel, making it my favorite among her works!

Kathleen Rosenberg, also known as Katee Rose, had it all as a pop sensation—sold-out concerts, whirlwind tours, and a high-profile romance with the lead singer of a world-renowned boyband, Ryan LaNeve. Then, Cal Kirby entered her life, shattering her relationship and their careers. Years later, Kathleen gets the lead in a Broadway show, her first chance at a musical resurrection since her world crumbled. But that means working alongside Cal, now the director. Their mutual disdain sets the stage for a passionate, turbulent reunion, reigniting a fire as intense as their initial encounter.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Kathleen and Cal. They have known each other all their lives. They meet at summer camp. Her best friend wrote a play, a special part only for Kathleen to play. Cal was going to direct. It went all the way to Broadway. They each had issues but together they worked it out and fell in love.

This was a solid second chance at romance novel! I also loved the dual timelines! The writing was good and the story entertaining.

I really liked this. I like the concept of a second chance ex-pop star and dancer romance. It kind of gave Britney Spears and I was so here for it. I liked the jumps to the past because it just gave more oomph and clarification and at the end it came together very well!

Give me a dual timeline, second chance love story any day of the week. Loved this follow up maybe even better than Sussman's debut.

Kathleen and Cal go back and forth for years and can never seem to get it right as their careers and love lives intertwine.

I really enjoyed this second chance romance about a former pop star who risked it all to be with another guy. Years later they have another chance together and it was fun reading how things would end with Katee and Cal.

Once More with Feeling had an interesting premise and employed a dual timeline format that had real potential, but it fell short in execution. While it was fast-paced, there were several significant issues. The characters felt flat and lacked growth and accountability, making it hard to connect with them. The miscommunication among them, despite the passage of time, felt juvenile and frustrating. It would have benefited from dual POVs or a more in-depth exploration of the years between 'Then' and 'Now.' Moreover, the flashbacks lacked emotional connection, and the heroine in the present was portrayed as immature and difficult to root for. The absence of emotional chemistry between the love interests left me indifferent. The plot, at times, veered into cringe-worthy territory, especially due to the inclusion of the cheating trope. It often felt like the author was telling us about tension between characters rather than showing it, resulting in a forced chemistry that didn't resonate. Potential was there, but it just didn't hit the mark for me.

Sussman has the uncanny ability to write moody, funny, deeply readable stories about lives I will never experience. I tore through this book, so intent on watching how these two characters would come back together. I loved it so much.

fans of boy bands and broadway musicals will be into this one— it gave me (weirdly) grown-up camp rock or high school musical vibes kinda? on paper, i should have been super into it, but it just didn’t do it for me. i think this author just isn’t my vibe because i felt this way about her first book too… it’s me, hi, i’m the problem!!!

i think i just never really bought the chemistry between cal and katee??

anywho, second chance romance fans who love celebs and summer camps and theater kids-turned-adults, this one’s for you!

⭐️⭐️— it was okay! #radtwostarreads

I read and loved her last book, Funny You Should Ask, so I was super excited to read Once More with Feeling! I loved the banter between Kathleen and Cal, and I love a good second chance Romance! I also enjoyed the pop culture theme and getting an idea of that world though the characters!

Kathleen Rosenberg is living the life she has always dreamed of - she is a famous pop star who has risen to popularity and she’s dating Cal, one of the members of CrushCore. But when she finds herself in the arms of another member of CrushCore, her fame crashes and reality isn’t all its cracked up to be. Years later she’s presented with an opportunity to play a starring role in a Broadyway show, she is thrilled, until she realizes none other than Cal is directing it. Will they be able to put away their differences or will the flame reignite them together again?
After reading and loving Funny You Should Ask last year, I jumped at the chance to read her latest book, Once More with Feeling! I really loved the dual timeline and seeing so many aspects about their past and how they knew each other. There was a lot of witty banter and fun moments between Kathleen and Cal, although at times Kathleen was a bit much for me.I didn’t really enjoy her character at all - I wish the author had spent more time developing them. I’m not big on theatre (although I love going to see some Broadway shows) but thought this was an interesting look into that side of things! I can definitely see where people think this was inspired by the Britney Spears and Justin Timeberlake drama from back in the day. Overall I think I liked Funny You Should Ask more than this one, but it was still a good read! If you enjoy second chance romance mixed with some pop culture elements you may also like this one.

The newest novel by Elissa Sussman follows former pop star Kathleen as she attempts to leave her life of fame in the past, but it just keeps seeming to come back to her. With a dual timeline, we follow her alongside Cal, weaving their past and present together as a too good to be true opportunity is being offered to Kathleen, that requires her to face the past and all of its complications. The story is a perfect blend of second-chance romance, fame/popstars, and broadway/musical theatre and will hit the spot for someone who enjoys these tropes and topics.

This book is definitely not meant for me, but has so much potential for someone else. The messiness of the second chance romance did not land the best for me, and caused me to not enjoy any of the characters. I also think that the characters could have been more distinctly described and differentiated to create a more engaging experience. Overall the book was an enjoyable read on a long road trip, one I could read in one sitting, but did not pull me in either direction strongly. I did enjoy the storytelling with Crushzone and the use of a boyband, even though fame and singers in books are not usually my cup of tea.

It's clear that Elissa has carved out an interesting niche with her "then and now" storytelling style, and I appreciate the flow and pace it offers. However, as a non-theatre person, some parts of the book a bit challenging to get through, although I still enjoyed it more than you initially expected. So even if the thought of theatre kids may seem a bit cringey, it actually offers up a lot of heartwarming moments (and let’s be real, some cringe too). While the book may have its moments that might be less engaging for non-theatre enthusiasts, it still manages to deliver an enjoyable overall experience.

"Once More with Feeling" ultimately is a story that explores the complexities of relationships-both romantic and non-romantic (which I appreciated)- and the consequences of past decisions, all set against the backdrop of the entertainment industry. The contrast between Katee's life as a pop star and Kathleen's more ordinary existence adds depth to the narrative, and the tension between the characters, especially between Katee and Cal, promises a compelling and dramatic story. Although, I think Cal could have been a bit more developed.

Overall, I think this can appeal to both fans of theatre and those looking for a story with engaging character dynamics and a blend of past and present narratives.

This is such a fun book with great characters. I love that you feel as if you're in the situations the characters are in. Great love story that has a very clever title!! I have recommended it to many friends and can't wait to hear what they say.

It's official...Elissa Sussman can do no wrong. This one was just as good as her previous release, if not better. I ate this up in one sitting (and can we talk about how gorgeous the matching covers are for her books??)!!

I am a huge Elissa Sussman fan. I love this Britney/JC reimagining that shows that Justin was always a jerk. Love the love letter to Broadway. This book was a delight to read.

Katee was a big name pop star in her early 20s, but she’s “cancelled” when it comes out that she cheated on Ryan, a CrushZone boy band member. She goes back to an ordinary life until Cal, another member of the infamous boy band approaches her about starring in a new Broadway show; a role that was written for Katee specifically.

They haven’t spoken in many years, especially since Katee (now Kathleen) has left the spotlight. But this is such a big opportunity and the role Kathleen has always dreamed of performing. She thinks she can handle being close to Cal as long as she doesn’t let him in too close. But they have incredible chemistry and the rehearsals lead to long hours. Is it ever a good idea to stir up the past?

I really enjoyed this one! As a millennial who grew up during the height of boy bands and pop music, this really resonated with me. I really felt for Katee who has the rug pulled out from under her when there were two parties involved. I love the premise of a Broadway show getting started. I loved the dual timelines and just the whole story. Very well done.

Thank you @penguinrandhomhouse and @elissa_sussman for my gifted copy. Once More With Feeling is out now! If you love Broadway and pop music, I highly suggest checking out the show @andjulietbway! 💝

Once More with Feeling has a "then" and "now" timeline and that really worked for this story. The author did a great job weaving in and out of these story lines to slowly reveal our main character's past. This definitely has certain references that make you think Elissa Sussman grabbed inspiration from certain pop stars in the past, but it didn't feel like a copied story. It was very well written.

Katee had the pop star career she dreamed of (well kind of) and a boyfriend that was in a popular boyband. I have to say I couldn't stand him and definitely don't get his appeal, but that's a different story, haha. We slowly see Katee getting close to Cal (and I so wish we got chapters from his POV) that's a bit nerdy, but seems so genuine. She ends up sleeping with Cal before breaking up with Ryan and that basically blew up her career. After reading the first part of Katee's story I have to say I would never want to be a pop star ever! That life seems horrible.

Now  it's so many years later and Cal ends up being the director of the musical her best friend wrote that they want to get to broadway. Let's just say we get a bumpy road. I loved seeing different aspects of broadway and Katee slowly starting to believe in herself again and her talent. The banter between Cal and Katee was the best and I loved seeing the tension there and them slowly letting feelings back in. Things get messy, but we all know we'll get a happily ever after!

There were certain aspects I would've loved just a little bit more of, like Katee and Harriet talking things out, but all in all I really enjoyed this book. Dual timelines don't always work, but this author knows how to balance them out and make you love these characters.

This review will also be published on thebookdutchesses.com on September 14th!